Clear Aligners

Clear Aligners

What are Clear Aligners?

Clear aligners are an orthodontics treatment option that is transparent often times plastic form used to straighten and adjust teeth.

Here at Riverside Dental & Orthodontics we use Sure Smile that utilize advanced technology and high quality materials

SureSmile Clear Aligners help you enjoy:

  • Straighter teeth
  • A confident Smile

How it works:

First we would schedule you for your FREE orthodontic consultation where we would examine your smile and determine the best course of treatment. If you are eligible for clear aligners we will:

  • Take your initial photos
  • Create your comprehensive customized treatment plan with a SureSmile Digital Lab
  • Customize you clear aligners and patient kit

 

Interested in more information on clear aligners? Give us a call!

 

Wisdom Teeth / Oral Surgery

Wisdom Teeth and Oral Surgery

Wisdom teeth are third molars that are often times the last set of permanent teeth to erupt in ones mouth. Wisdom teeth can cause pain and endanger a patients oral health when they erupt and force teeth out of alignment and damage the bite, or they can crowd the roots of your other teeth.

Often times the best course of action is oral surgery. If the wisdom teeth are fully erupted through the gum a standard extraction can be performed. If they have not erupted an impacted tooth extraction can be used.

Our team will perform a thorough exam and present you with the best options available for you.

 

Gum Disease / Periodontics

Gum Disease

Gum disease is a severe oral health issue that affects nearly half of all adults in the United States. Many people are unaware they have it until symptoms appear, often after it has progressed to severe stages requiring more complex treatments.

Gum disease can be reversed if detected and treated in the early stages. Maintaining good oral hygiene and visiting your dentist twice a year for cleanings and exams will help you avoid gum disease.

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is an infection affecting the hard and soft tissues that support the teeth. It’s usually caused by lousy brushing and flossing habits, which allow plaque—a sticky film of bacteria—to build up and harden on the teeth. Gum disease progresses in two stages (Gingivitis and Periodontitis).

Gingivitis: The first stage of gum disease

Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums that is mainly caused by bacteria. Gingivitis is limited to the gingiva and does not extend to the periodontal attachment (periodontal ligament, cementum, and alveolar bone). Gingivitis is classified into two major categories.

• Dental plaque-induced gingivitis develops when plaque buildup irritates the gums, causing inflammation, discoloration, and pain.

• Non-plaque-induced gingival lesions, on the other hand, can be caused by a specific bacterial, viral, or fungal infection.

Periodontitis: The advanced stage of gum disease

If gingivitis is not treated, it can develop into periodontitis, a more severe gum disease. In addition, the gums become inflamed and detach from the teeth in some circumstances, generating pockets susceptible to infection.

Periodontitis is the most significant cause of tooth loss and can cause long-term harm to your teeth and the bones that support them. Periodontitis is a severe gum disease that cannot be treated at home.

What Causes Gum Disease?

Dental plaque continues to play a critical etiologic function, but the adverse effects of plaque bacteria are enhanced or modified by your body’s interactions. For example, pregnancy-associated gingivitis is one systemic cause in which your body’s hormone swings encourage the development of specific plaque flora members.

Patients with diabetes mellitus with poor metabolic control have more severe plaque-induced gingival inflammation than people who do not have diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the connection between gum disease and diabetes is bidirectional: Periodontitis can impair blood glucose control, and people with diabetes are more vulnerable to bacterial infection, which can lead to gum disease.

Certain drugs can enhance the development of gingival enlargement in plaque-induced gingival inflammation. Careful plaque control can often lessen, but not eliminate, the severity of this adverse effect. Certain anticonvulsants (e.g., phenytoin), immunosuppressive medicines (e.g., cyclosporin), and calcium channel blockers (e.g., nifedipine, verapamil, diltiazem) have this side effect.

What Are the Symptoms of Gum Disease?

If you have any of these symptoms, you should consult your general dentist or periodontist as soon as possible:

A dark red color instead of light pink gingiva

Normal gingival color is coral pink, caused by tissue vascularity and modified by the overlaying epithelium. The gingiva will get dark red due to increased vascularization caused by inflammation.

Unexplained bleeding

One of the most common indications of gum disease is bleeding when brushing, flossing, or eating. Plaque toxins produce a bacterial infection, which causes tissues prone to bleeding.

Swollen or puffy gingiva

The most prevalent cause of swollen gums is gingivitis. If your gums have been swollen for more than two weeks, you should see a dentist. The dentist will inquire when your symptoms began and how frequently they occur.

Bad breath/halitosis

Breath odor can come from the back of the tongue, the lungs, the stomach, the food we eat, or tobacco usage. Old food particles behind the gum line can also create bad breath. In addition, the deeper gum pockets can hold more debris and bacteria, resulting in a foul odor.

Gum recession/ Longer-looking teeth

When gum disease progresses, your teeth may appear longer because the gums that cover them recede. Gum recession is the loss of gum tissue around a tooth, exposing the root.

Tooth Sensitivity

Do you have unpleasant sensations in your teeth when you drink hot or cold drinks, crunch on ice, or expose them to chilly air? Dentin hypersensitivity, often known as tooth sensitivity, can be caused by exposed tooth roots. In addition, gum recession or pocketing might result in susceptible teeth in some circumstances.

Bone Destruction and Attachment Loss

Depending on the severity of the disease, periodontitis causes varying degrees of bone destruction. In its milder forms, the bone around the neck of teeth may resorb somewhat, whereas, in its more severe conditions, the bone around the roots may be entirely obliterated. Increased mobility or loss of the entire teeth.

How Can I Prevent Gum Disease?

• Professional cleanings at least twice a year and daily brushing and flossing are essential for plaque control. Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
• Rinse your mouth with antibacterial mouthwash.
• Floss daily.
• Other health and lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of gum disease, lessen its severity, and slow its progression.
• Stop smoking
• Manage your stress levels
• Develop healthy eating habits

Root Canals / Endodontics

What is a root canal?

A root canal treatment is needed when a patient has inflammation or infection in the roots of a tooth. A dentist or specialist (dependent on the size of infection) will remove the pulp that is inside of the infected tooth to clean and disinfect the effected area. Once infected area is cleaned, medicated and sealed a dental crown or other restorative treatment is used to protect the tooth.

For questions on root canals please give us a call or contact us.

Fillings

What is a tooth filling?

A tooth filling is used to repair and restore surfaces of a tooth that has been damaged. Such filling strengthens the tooth and prevent more invasive treatment in the future.

How to know if you need a tooth filling?

Making sure you keep up-to-date with your dentist in crucial in ensuring you are taking proper care of your teeth. If you notice the following schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible:

  • Sensitive teeth (to the touch, or when consuming either cold or hot items)
  • Pain when biting

 

Veneers

What are veneers?

Dental veneers help improve the appearance of your teeth by creating a custom porcelain overlay that is places on the tooth front surface.

Veneers can be an incredible option for patients who have discolored or stained, chipped or broken, and even irregular shaped teeth. They can also be used to assist in closing the gaps between teeth if a patient is not interested in Traditional Braces or Clear Aligners.

 

Dental Hygiene

Dental Hygiene

Your oral hygiene is crucial to your overall dental health. In order to ensure you are keeping up with proper hygiene it is recommended to be seen by your dentist every 6 months. During these visits your dentist will check the condition of your teeth and perform a dental cleaning.

Depending on how often you visit your dentist and the state of your overall dental hygiene your dentist may recommend a more thorough cleaning by the dental hygienist.

How can you keep up with your dental hygiene:

  • Visit your dentist every 6 months.
  • Brush your teeth and use antiseptic mouth wash twice a day.
  • Floss daily.
  • Clean your tongue regularly.

 

Teeth Whitening

What is a teeth whitening?

A tooth whitening can enhance the brightness of natural teeth but an individual must check with their dentist to see if they are eligible for such service. There are both at home whitening solutions as well as in office professional whitening. If you are an individual that suffers from sensitive teeth, decay, infections in the gums, or have had major dental work needed please consult with your dentist before hand.

If you are eligible your doctor will provide you with the best option to move forward.

Veneers are also a possible option if you are eligible and would like a lasting solution to bright teeth.

Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric Dentistry

Making sure your children are seen regularly by a dentist is key in obtaining optimal oral health. Our team works with families and individuals of all ages to make sure they are taken care of and are given the tools to maintain optimal oral health. Please make sure your children are scheduled with their dentist regularly.

Crowns

Dental Crowns

A dental crown can help restore a tooth’s size, shape and strength. By encasing the visible portion of your tooth it permanently bonded in place and can last anywhere between 5-15 years. For information on dental crowns give us a call today.